Wheat conditions dry, but not insurmountable

Planting conditions for winter wheat aren't perfect, but they're not bad, either.With winter wheat planting a couple weeks away, farmers are hoping for a little rain to soften the soil.Jared Jones, Mid Kansas Coop field analyst, said recent rains have improved moisture levels in the soil in many places, though some areas still need more."We'd pretty much depleted our moisture profile before the rain," Jones said.Heavy rains restored the deep soil moisture profile in many areas. However, Jones said the topsoil has started to dry out again due to high temperatures that followed the rain.Still, Jones said farmers should be in good shape for planting."We're going to need some rain to soften things up, but we're in good condition," Jones said. "A good half-inch or one-inch rain would sure help things."According to a USDA report released Monday, topsoil moisture supplies across the state rate 14 percent very short, 43 percent short, 42 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies across the state are 20 percent very short, 39 percent short, 41 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus.The USDA also reports that about 5 percent of winter wheat has been planted so far, which is the same as it was last year and near the 6 percent national average.

Contact Josh Arnett by email at jarnett@mcphersonsentinel.com and follow him on Twitter @ArnettSentinel.